THE LACE SCHOOL
By the Late Joan Doherty
In the townland of Carrowmenagh, a thatched Cottage, which still stands in the heart of the village was used as a Training School which specialised in lace and crochet making. Miss Cassidy, a qualified tutor employed by the VEC, was assigned to the village to train young women in these crafts. She quickly became a very popular lady and was renowned for her high standards in the work that was produced.
On a Monday morning she travelled by train from her hometown of Buncrana to Carndonagh and then cycled the 12 miles to the village to undertake her week long classes. Miss Cassidy resided in a number of homes in the village but mainly in the home of the McCann family who owned the village post office.
These Lace Schools were popular in Ireland in the 1890's. They were established by the Congested Districts Board of Ireland. Their aim was to raise the living standards among the female working class. Local women were trained to do crochet, embroidery, knitting and sewing. As the women worked mainly in their own homes the name Cottage industry was born.
Anne McDaid (nee Farren) withe the wedding dress made by
her mother Annie Farren (nee McGonigle).
